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Hello, I think this is my first post. I finally had a chance to take some pictures of my car this week. I completed a full exterior detail last weekend using the techniques described in this forum. My car is 11 years old and has over 237,000 miles to date. I purchased the car new and have taken care of it ever since. I average over 20,000 miles per year here on Bay Area freeways. I have been fanatical (almost obsessive-compulsive) about keeping the car clean over the years. I have also used some bad techniques as far as how to polish, wax, and maintain the finish. My most famous technique has been to dust off my car using a damp cotton terry towel without first dusting or using a quick detailer. Yes, this means I have acquired tons of swirls and some deep scratches over the years. Since joining the forum I have completely changed my techniques thanks to all the members of this forum. I own a Porter Cable PC and all the Megs products designed for this type of polishing tool. My car is about 90% swirl-free. The hood is the worst which has some deep scratches not removed with the #83 and 8006 pad. To bring the paint to 99-100% I definitely need a rotary polisher. I may do that after I have gained more experience using the PC.
Detail Steps:
Note: all product removal steps are by hand using a microfiber towel.
1) Wash with NXT car wash and Megs chenille wash mit. One bucket for paint and windows. One bucket for the wheels, tires, and lower body trim. Car dried using Megs Supreme Shine Microfiber. This is the best drying towel I have ever used!
2) Check finish. No clay required since car was recently detailed but using the wrong products and technique. Finish is already smooth and contaminant free.
3) Polish with #83, Pad #8006, speed setting #5, approx. 20lb. of pressure. I now understand the limitations of using a PC to remove scratches that require a rotary polisher.
4) Polish with #80, Pad #8006, speed setting #5, approx. 20lb. of pressure. This is the bread and butter of all polishing combinations. Great stuff!
5) Two coats of NXT liquid wax with approximately an 8 hour wait in between coats.
6) Detail faded trim using Forever Black. Black plastic looks 100% better.
7) Windows cleaned with Invisible Glass.
8) Tires dressed with Megs Hot Shine tire spray. Wipe off the excess or you will have the dressing slinging onto the paint.
9) Clean up and stare!
White is the hardest color to get good reflection shots. I’m no pro with the digital camera but here it goes.
During good weather periods I rarely wash my car using water and soap. I now use a CA Car Duster (wood handle only), NXT quick detailer, NXT Spray Wax (every couple of weeks), and plenty of microfiber towels. This combo works pretty well and does not leave scratches or swirls.
Detail Steps:
Note: all product removal steps are by hand using a microfiber towel.
1) Wash with NXT car wash and Megs chenille wash mit. One bucket for paint and windows. One bucket for the wheels, tires, and lower body trim. Car dried using Megs Supreme Shine Microfiber. This is the best drying towel I have ever used!
2) Check finish. No clay required since car was recently detailed but using the wrong products and technique. Finish is already smooth and contaminant free.
3) Polish with #83, Pad #8006, speed setting #5, approx. 20lb. of pressure. I now understand the limitations of using a PC to remove scratches that require a rotary polisher.
4) Polish with #80, Pad #8006, speed setting #5, approx. 20lb. of pressure. This is the bread and butter of all polishing combinations. Great stuff!
5) Two coats of NXT liquid wax with approximately an 8 hour wait in between coats.
6) Detail faded trim using Forever Black. Black plastic looks 100% better.
7) Windows cleaned with Invisible Glass.
8) Tires dressed with Megs Hot Shine tire spray. Wipe off the excess or you will have the dressing slinging onto the paint.
9) Clean up and stare!
White is the hardest color to get good reflection shots. I’m no pro with the digital camera but here it goes.
During good weather periods I rarely wash my car using water and soap. I now use a CA Car Duster (wood handle only), NXT quick detailer, NXT Spray Wax (every couple of weeks), and plenty of microfiber towels. This combo works pretty well and does not leave scratches or swirls.
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